I’m gonna be honest: I’m not sure about this whole ghost thing. Like many skeptics, my mind craves a scientific explanation for the sorts of things that give other people the heebeejeebees (like “orbs” in nighttime photos of graveyards: it’s the reflection of light off dust particles and water droplets, guys, not ghosts). I do, however, like a good mysterious story. Take, for example, a ghost walk we participated in in Salem, Massachusetts (yes, that Salem; I have a thing for dark history, OK?). I thoroughly enjoyed the retelling of eerie encounters that happened in houses right in front of us, photos that couldn’t be explained, bad luck that seemed intrinsically tied to a sordid event. Yes, please! But did we spot any eerie apparitions? No we did not. However, when we learned that the hotel at which we were staying in Spokane, Washington–the Historic Davenport Hotel–was purportedly haunted, I definitely wanted to hear the story behind the legend. The more disturbing, the better.
Right off the bat I was intrigued. First of all, our room was the one right above the suite where the original owner (and his wife on another day and time) died. However, they both died of natural causes, so one would think there wasn’t much cause for hauntings. But! Sightings have been reported by staff in the past. Some have even said they heard the owner’s voice. Alas, we neither saw, nor heard, a peep from them.
The more distressing tale is that of a young woman who died in the 1920’s inside the hotel. She stepped on the glass ceiling (a literal one, not a feminist one) while strolling along a catwalk with a friend and the glass shattered, dropping her several floors to the tile floor below, and her death. But she didn’t die right away. It was actually several hours later that she gave up her ghost, as they say. Apparently, many whitnesses have reported seeing a woman in a flapper dress wandering aimlessly about the mezzanine, repeating her last words: “Where did I go?”
But we didn’t see her, either. She must be camera shy.
Whether or not you doubt the existence of ectoplasmic entities, the Historic Davenport Hotel is a striking and impressive place from the inside and out. It narrowly missed being completely demolished in 1986, but fortunately, the whole building was refurbished and reopened in 2002. Many rooms are even decorated with original artwork and lighting and the entire place strikes an elegant silhouette. Even if you’re not staying as a guest, pop in for a bit of eye candy or a coffee in the gilded entryway/dining room. And keep an eye out for ghosts. Obviously.
Seen any spirits in haunted locales? Do tell! Wander on!
Alisha is a freelance outdoor journalist and photographer based in Ogden, UT. She loves backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and snowboarding (even though she’s terrible at it). She’s also pretty sure she’s addicted to coffee. alishamcdarris.com